What are Frost Laws?

With the spring thaw comes talk of “Frost Laws” in our Northern states. But exactly what is the Frost Law?

Also known simply as “Seasonal Weight Restrictions,” Frost Laws are restrictions on speed and/or weight limits on roads that are sensitive to weakening during a spring thaw. States and localities can impose jurisdiction as needed to protect those roads while the ground is thawing in the spring. Areas must be signed and posted by the governing agency.

The temporarily-reduced speeds and axle weight limits generally start on March 1st and remain through Mid-June in most cases. However, this can also vary by year as it is also dependent on what the temperatures were during the winter months.

Only 16 US states have Spring load restrictions in place. Laws are more prevalent in Canada, with nearly all provinces and territories having laws on the books.

Because these spring load restrictions will vary widely by state, and even within a state, it’s best to check each state’s laws. We’ve included the link to each state’s information below: